logo
Canadian SI Swimsuit model Nicole Williams English 'feels the most confident' in her 40s: 'This is my favourite era'

Canadian SI Swimsuit model Nicole Williams English 'feels the most confident' in her 40s: 'This is my favourite era'

Yahoo03-06-2025

Nicole Williams English is at the top of her game. The Newfoundland native is one of 38 women to be featured in the 2025 SI Swimsuit issue, alongside stars like Salma Hayek Pinault, influencer Alix Earle and fellow Canadian Lauren Chan.
The issue, which hits newsstands on May 17, is the third time Williams English has posed for the iconic magazine. She made her Sports Illustrated debut in 2023 when she was seven months pregnant with her daughter, India Moon, whom she shares with husband retired NFL player Larry English.
Yahoo Canada spoke to Williams English about achieving her ultimate career goal, balancing work and motherhood and more.
Williams English had her sights set on modelling for SI Swimsuit ever since she began modelling at 16. Before making the move to the U.S., the now 41-year-old says she would pack a sleeping bag and a pillow and board a bus from Toronto to New York to attend castings.
'Every time I'd walk through the door, I'd have to talk to myself. I was so nervous. My heart would be pounding,' she recalls.
Year after year, she would come within arms reach of her dream, but never gave up hope that she would someday make it into the magazine.
'I really didn't know why it wasn't clicking back then, but now I do. Now that I'm older I look back at myself and I see where I was mentally...I just wasn't ready. I wasn't confident enough,' she says. 'I didn't know myself well enough. I was still trying to keep up with every other model and trying to be like every other model.'
But after years of trying to fit in, Williams English had enough.
'I feel like I kind of came into myself and in my early 30s…There was something inside me that was dying to come out. I want to get tattoos. I want to dye my hair red. I want to get a whole bunch of piercings. I want to do what I want to do," she says.
In 2015, she joined the cast of the E! reality series WAGS: Los Angeles, where she began to build her personal brand and amass a large online following. As she began moving through the world to the beat of her own drum, the modelling world took notice of her newfound confidence.
'There was a certain point in my life where I was like, I'm just going to dress and do whatever the hell I want,' she says. 'People are going to love it because I'm going to be so confident doing it that nobody will question it.'
At 39, a pregnant Williams English received the call she had been waiting for her entire career.
'I thought it was a joke… but then when I hung up, I was like… I see why this is happening for me now,' she says. 'I would do it all over again. I'd make the same mistakes… It brought me to this space where I feel the most confident. I know who I am; I don't follow anybody else. I'm a leader. I truly just want to be that representation of this young girl who has these dreams and makes it all happen for herself.'Williams English is in the wonderful and exhausting trenches of life with a toddler. The model juggles her busy career with swimming lessons and caring for her 2-year-old daughter. Although she admits that it's "not all perfect" she's being careful to make choices that ensure her daughter has a present and happy mother.
"Everything I do revolves around her," she says. "When I think about my future and I make decisions… I'm thinking about her future, not my own."
Like many moms with young children, she's had to work to find her rhythm. Williams English says she has a newfound urge to take care of herself.
"I look at myself and I have a full head of grey hair which I struggle with. It's definitely challenging having this type of career. Being 41 and looking at yourself aging, you're trying to stop the clock and do any anti-aging regimens that you can," she says. "You just have to find the right balance so that you get enough self care...It's scary as mom, you want to be there for your child and be healthy. You're worried about ever leaving them on this planet without you."
Williams English's wellness journey includes hormone replacement therapy after bloodwork revealed she had low testosterone.
"I was very moody. I was snapping at everybody in the morning. I wasn't depressed, but I was just kind of mad - angry at everything. Everything was a catastrophe for me… I was having really bad anxiety," she says. "I was literally crawling out of bed. I was really, really exhausted."
Now that she's back on track, she's taking her time and is committed to building a career with staying power. "Slow and steady," she says.
In January, Williams English travelled to Jamaica for her third SI Swimsuit photoshoot. Even though she was named Rookie of the Year in 2023, she admits that she never takes the opportunity to pose for the magazine for granted.
'Every year, it's still like the first time. I'm waiting for the call. When you find out you're shooting again… it's so exciting,' she says. 'I don't look at any of this as work. This is truly my passion and what I'm made for. I feel super grateful and super blessed to be in this moment in life where everything is just amazing. My 40s are really amazing right now. This is my favourite era.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Trump's Trade War Plot Twist May Be a Hollywood That Looks for Even More Co-Productions
Trump's Trade War Plot Twist May Be a Hollywood That Looks for Even More Co-Productions

Yahoo

time15 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Trump's Trade War Plot Twist May Be a Hollywood That Looks for Even More Co-Productions

Donald Trump talked about slapping a 100 percent tariff on all foreign movies to make a 'troubled' Hollywood great again. But judging by the conversations at the Banff World Media Festival — both among content creators and acquisition execs and during panel and keynote speeches — global collaboration to create new partnerships and content across borders and tackle mutual financial challenges is the byword this week in the Canadian Rockies. Advertisement More from The Hollywood Reporter 'Collaboration is the one word that keeps coming up. I've never seen people all over the world — buyers, producers – more open to finding ways to get projects made and over the line,' Allison Wallach, head of unscripted programming at Fox Entertainment Studios, told a Banff fest panel on unscripted content. The discussion on the evolution of unscripted fare took place against the backdrop of Trump's talk of a foreign movie tariff quickly pivoting to a discussion of Americans possibly taking part in official international co-productions for the first time. And that plays directly into the wheelhouse of Canadian and other international producers that have been doing multi-passport films and TV series for decades. 'Deals I never thought I'd get away making, all of a sudden 50 percent of something is better than 100 percent of nothing,' Wallach added about recent dealmaking. Advertisement Sharon Scott, president, A+E Factual Studios, added during the unscripted content panel that global collaboration has moved from the sidelines to front and center for recent dealmaking. 'I love a coproduction. I didn't used to, but they definitely help on the financial side, and you make new friends and partners,' she said. Scott also touted the benefits of tapping film tax credits, including in Canada. 'Anything that can be done anywhere, should be done here,' she said of shooting content in Canada, whether TV shows or just expert interviews for an unscripted series. The result in Banff for an entertainment industry looking to cut content budgets and produce for and with the world was more deliberative conversations between potential partners. 'Everything is a conversation now. That's a really good thing. We just want to get the best content for our customers and we want to work with fantastic partners from all around the world to do that,' Anais Baker, head of international formats at Amazon MGM Studios, told the unscripted TV panel. Advertisement Michaela Di Mondo, executive vp of distribution, international at Fremantle Canada, at one point directly addressed producers in Banff and urged them to take advantage of American and other international producers looking to forge new partnerships. 'For you guys in the room, producers, this is your time. Here's an opportunity where the world is kind of saying, where else can we work? Where else can we do hub structures. Where else can we do co-productions? How can we cost save where it doesn't mean 'that's too Canadian,' versus look how amazing that was, and the cost was even better,' Di Mondo said. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

1Password and the Red Bull Racing Pepe Jeans Academy Programme Unveil Bespoke Livery by Female Canadian Artist Ahead of 2025 Canadian Grand Prix
1Password and the Red Bull Racing Pepe Jeans Academy Programme Unveil Bespoke Livery by Female Canadian Artist Ahead of 2025 Canadian Grand Prix

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

1Password and the Red Bull Racing Pepe Jeans Academy Programme Unveil Bespoke Livery by Female Canadian Artist Ahead of 2025 Canadian Grand Prix

Uniting to champion women in motorsport and cybersecurity through innovation, mentorship, and artistic expression. TORONTO, June 10, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Red Bull Racing Pepe Jeans Academy Programme and Team Cyber Security Partner, 1Password, have unveiled a bespoke livery that will run on Alisha Palmowski's car over the Canadian Grand Prix weekend. Designed by emerging Canadian artist Kirsten McCrea, the one-of-a-kind livery is a celebration of female excellence and talent across sports, design, and technology. This artistic collaboration embodies a shared commitment to breaking down barriers in motorsport and cybersecurity, ensuring more women have clear pathways to become future drivers, engineers, and technology leaders. "Every champion starts with a dream — and the courage to chase it," said Jeannie De Guzman, Chief Operating Officer, 1Password. "At 1Password, we stand with those building the future with passion, purpose, and resilience. Through our partnership with Red Bull Racing Pepe Jeans Academy Programme, we are proud to safeguard Alisha's digital life as she races this weekend in Montreal, inspiring a new generation to win, on the track, in technology, and beyond." Championing Excellence Through Bold Design 1Password and the Oracle Red Bull Racing brand teams partnered with Canadian muralist Kirsten McCrea, entrusting her with the creative lead to approach this livery as a canvas for storytelling that's dynamic, powerful, and designed to reflect movement and growth. Empowering and investing in emerging talent is the core of who the Team is, and collaborating with local artist McCrea for this bespoke design continues both Red Bull and 1Password's mission to champion the talent of tomorrow with action. This design is a unique take on Red Bull Racing's iconic branding and a new opportunity to represent and redefine what it means to be part of the Red Bull family. Rooted in Canadian identity, the livery features a palette of red for Canada and blue for Quebec, and it's anchored by a pattern of stylized dandelion seeds in motion, radiating from behind the driver. Each seed symbolizes ambition and ideas taking flight, drawing inspiration from the iconic Expo 67 logo and capturing the spirit of Canada's celebration of innovation and progress. Ripples emanating from the back wheel represent how one woman's impact can carry outward, creating space and opportunity for others to follow. It's not just a design—it's a declaration: ambition belongs here. Kirsten McCrea, who built her career in the male-dominated worlds of muralism and street art, drew inspiration from Alisha's rise through the ranks of professional racing and said, "An all-woman team is rare. I know what it takes to break into spaces where you weren't expected to be, and I wanted the design to reflect that. Not as a soft or symbolic gesture, but as something strong, graphic, and unapologetic." Alisha Palmowski, Red Bull Racing Pepe Jeans Academy Programme Driver, said, "I am incredibly inspired by the design created by Kirsten McCrea and cannot wait to drive this livery in Montreal. I am personally drawn to bright, bold colours and am inspired by the underlying message of celebrating female talent across different industries. Driving in and representing a Canadian-inspired livery this weekend is something that I will cherish forever. A big thank you to 1Password and Red Bull Racing Pepe Jeans Academy Programme for the opportunity." Canadian Grand Prix Livery Reveal Celebration 1Password and the Red Bull Racing Pepe Jeans Academy Programme unveiled the bespoke livery during an immersive celebratory event at Ricarda's Atrium in downtown Toronto. Hosted by Alicia West, radio personality and in-stadium announcer for the Toronto Argonauts, the evening brought together Canadian leaders from sports, technology, and design to celebrate performance, leadership, and innovation. A panel conversation among female executives, founders, innovators, and athletes explored personal stories of ambition, resilience, and the future of sport and technology. DJ Lissa Monet, co-founder of the all-female DJ agency LUXELIFE SOUND, set the tone with a high-energy soundtrack for the night. Fans are at the heart of everything that the Team does. To celebrate the livery reveal, fans around the globe were invited to solve an acronym to 'Crack the Code'—for a chance to experience the Canada Grand Prix weekend in full. As the campaign concludes, 1Password and the Team are set to welcome a few passionate fans to witness the bespoke livery on-track debut in Montreal. Championing the Next Generation in Motorsport and Cybersecurity 1Password's partnership with the Red Bull Racing Pepe Jeans Academy Programme reflects a shared commitment to uplifting the next generation of women in motorsport and cybersecurity. Together, the organizations are helping to build more inclusive pathways by providing mentorship, tools, and support to young talent ready to lead in high-performance environments. As part of this mission, 1Password proudly supports rising star Alisha Palmowski, whose determination and ambition exemplify the spirit of progress both on the track and beyond. This collaboration is both a celebration of possibility and a commitment to the leaders who break barriers and shape what's next. 1Password safeguards her digital life, ensuring that her most sensitive personal information —credentials, credit cards, and private race notes —remains secure and accessible wherever she goes. To learn more about 1Password's partnership with the Red Bull Racing Pepe Jeans Academy Programme, visit: About 1Password Trusted by over 165,000 businesses and millions of consumers, 1Password pioneered Extended Access Management, a new cybersecurity category built for the way people and AI agents work today. Our mission is to unleash productivity without compromising security. The 1Password Extended Access Management platform secures every sign-in to every app from every device, including the managed and unmanaged ones that legacy IAM, IGA, and MDM tools can't reach. Leading companies such as Asana, Associated Press, Canva, IBM, MongoDB, MediaComm Communications, Octopus Energy, Slack, and Wish rely on 1Password to close the Access-Trust Gap: the security risks posed by unfederated identities, unmanaged apps, devices, and AI agents accessing sensitive company data without proper governance controls. Learn more at View source version on Contacts Media Contactmedia@

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store